The iconic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese just got a little healthier thanks to a powerful healing ingredient. As of January 2016, the “Original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese” is changing — but for the better. While Kraft promises to still deliver the same great taste that consumers know and love, the recipe changes are the latest steps in the Kraft Mac & Cheese journey to cater to their consumers changing lifestyles and needs. It’s changed — but it hasn’t “It changed but it hasn’t,” boasts the new ad campaign for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. What’s changed? Well, it seems that Kraft’s new “mac & cheese” will no longer be made with artificial flavors, preservatives or synthetic colors. Kraft’s going back to basics and replacing the synthetic yellow 5 and …show more content…
The move to natural coloring comes in the wake of some of the biggest names in food manufacturing such as Nestle, Hershey and Frito-Lay responding to consumer pressure to simplify ingredients on food labels and menus. Change to the original recipe also follows intense pressure on Kraft, from food blogger Vani Hari, who goes by the name "Food Babe." Her petition, onChange.org, collected over 350,000 online signatures. In addition, the consumer advocacy group Center for Science pressured Kraft to remove the synthetic coloring in their recipe since certain dyes can trigger hyperactivity in some children, they said. However, according to Kraft officials, the move was unrelated to the pressure from activists. Kraft representative Lynne Galia said that Kraft has been working on the changes for more than three years. "We've met with families in their homes and watched them prepare Kraft Mac & Cheese in their kitchens, said Triona Schmelter Vice President of Marketing, Meals. “ They told us they want to feel good about the foods they eat and serve their families, including everything from improved nutrition to simpler …show more content…
“ The double standard is finally ending for one iconic product and hopefully several more.” The problem with synthetic dyes in food We are continually being bombarded with synthetic dyes to make food look more appealing. Yet, the safety of products containing artificial colors has been a point of debate for decades. Synthetic dyes are thought to be toxic, carcinogenic and contributors to hyperactivity in children. The Food and Drug Administration is failing to protect children from the disturbing behavioral problems caused by artificial food dyes, suggests the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Evidence regarding food dyes such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and Red 40 posing a a risk continues to mount, since an FDA advisory panel last considered the issue in 2011, says CSPI. Some dyes such as Red 3 may even contribute to cancer. Research suggests that a modest percentage of children are affected by up to 35 mg of mixtures of synthetic coloring, with larger percentages of children affected by doses of 100 mg or more. Prior to the change from synthetic coloring Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was found to have 17.6 mg of artificial dye per serving. The benefits of